SEVEN-times world champion Michael
Schumacher has apologised to former
team-mate Rubens Barrichello for his
over-aggressive defence of position in last
weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, after
initially refusing to say sorry for the pair's
near-contact.
The apology was published on his
official website, but only in German.
He admitted that the move had been
too harsh:
"Yesterday right after the race I was still in
the heat of the action, but after I watched
the scene with Rubens again, I must say
that the Stewards are right with their
assessment: the manoeuvre against him
was too harsh."
Schumacher added that he was sorry
that the move might have been thought
of as dangerous:
"Of course I wanted to make myself
difficult to overtake, but I wasn't seeking
to endanger him with my move. If he had
this feeling, I am sorry, that was not my
intention."
Schumacher's apology may be a case of
"better late than never", but it will do little
to repair his crumbling reputation as his
much-publicised return continues to go
south.
It has also been rumoured that the
apology was ordered by Mercedes-Benz
bosses in order to stem the flow of
negative publicity.
Schumacher apologises
to Barrichello
Admits stewards were correct to punish him
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MORE details about the 2012 United
States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas
have been trickling out this week,
after local newspaper the Austin
American Statesman got their
hands on confidential documents
relating to the event.
Organisers recently unveiled the
future location of the purpose-built
facility, while also confirming the
identity of the project's primary
financial backer.
According to the confidential
documents, construction of
America's first purpose-built
Formula One facility will cost in the
region of US$180m, US$70m less
than the original US$250m estimate,
with construction due to begin in
November or December.
Organisers are projecting that
the economic impact of the grand
prix will be about $300m annually,
based on an optimistic attendance
figure of 300,000.
The 18-month construction
project is expected to create 1,500
jobs, and although only 40 full-time
employees will be needed to keep
the track running on a year-round
basis, some 1,200 temporary jobs
will be created each year to help
run the Grand Prix.
Alongside the running of the
grand prix, it is hoped that the
track will be held open for 250 days
per year, hosting such events as
NASCAR, IndyCar and drag racing,
along with traditional track days
and club racing.
Texan track
build to cost
US$180m
Plans to keep track open 250
days/year
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